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Ehrlichioses: emerging infections

J S Dumler1

  • 1Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Meyer B1-193, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. sdumler@pathlan.path.jhu

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|October 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Human monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichioses are emerging tick-borne diseases caused by related bacteria. Further research is needed to fully understand their clinical spectrum, diagnosis, and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Tick-borne Pathogens

Background:

  • Human ehrlichioses are emerging tick-borne infections caused by obligate intracellular bacteria.
  • Two main types, human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), are caused by distinct but related Ehrlichia species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in the classification and pathogenesis of human ehrlichioses.
  • To highlight areas where further understanding is required regarding clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications on ehrlichiosis.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on Ehrlichia species classification and pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Classification of Ehrlichia species causing human infections has been clarified.
  • Initial progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of these infections.

Conclusions:

  • Despite recent advances, significant knowledge gaps remain in the clinical aspects of ehrlichioses.
  • Further research is crucial for improving the diagnosis, management, and treatment of these tick-borne bacterial infections.

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